IT was a warm sunny morning on the riverbank as the swan sat guarding his nest preening himself, occasionally standing to stare proudly at his clutch of eggs.

But the serene setting on the River Ouse at Lewes was about to be shattered - by an almighty splash.

The startled bird, feathers ruffled in defence, slipped into the water to investigate the threatening noise.

He didn't know it but he was paddling himself into the good books of Sussex Police.

Moments earlier, off-duty PC Karen Taylor had spotted a young shoplifter tucking a bottle of vodka under his shirt in the town centre's Safeway supermarket.

She tackled the youth but he broke free and ran top speed out of the store. The alarm was raised and Sgt Bob Smith and PC Sue Moir took up the chase.

They tracked the young villain to the nearby riverbank and watched in amazement as the youth suddenly jumped in - with an almighty splash.

The swan, PC Sid as he's now been nicknamed by police at Lewes station, was far from happy that his tranquil territory had been invaded.

He stepped up the pace, paddled at full speed, wings flapping, and headed straight for the rude intruder.

PC Moir stood one side of the river and Sgt Smith was on the other, but the shoplifter was content to sit soaked in the middle of the Ouse - until Sid arrived.

Sgt Smith said: "The youth at one point was going to climb out my side until he saw me, then he went back in again.

"He sat on the muddy wall of the riverbank and said he wasn't going to budge - then he saw Sid.

"The swan was all fluffed up and was hissing like mad. The youngster knew he had no option, and gave himself up before the bird got him.

"He was soaking wet but in better condition than he would have been.

"I wouldn't have fancied being in that mud and water trying to defend myself against an angry swan. And believe me, he was really angry."

The swan stayed at the seen, poised to attack, as the youth was put into the back of a police car, to be driven to Brighton police station for a change of clothes and hot drink.

He looked warily at the police officers for a few moments before doing an about-paddle and cruising back to his nest. He went back to guard his eggs again as calm returned to the river.

A 15-year-old was questioned and later released on bail by police at Brighton.

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